Rival Army Factions Clash In Ivory Coast's Second City

Reuters: Soldiers loot arms, burn military base in Ivory Coast's second city

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Soldiers in Ivory Coast’s second largest city looted weapons from the base of an elite military unit overnight before setting it on fire, leaders of the faction said on Wednesday.

The soldiers, who were involved in a series of mutinies last year that tarnished the image of Ivory Coast, one of Africa’s fastest growing economies, accuse the elite unit, known as the CCDO, of spying on them.

Residents of Bouake reported late on Tuesday hearing gunshots and heavy weapons fire between the rival factions, though they said the situation on Wednesday was calm after some early sporadic gunfire and businesses were operating normally.

Read more ....

More News On Rival Army Factions Clashing In Ivory Coast's Second City

Rival Army Factions Clash in Ivory Coast's Second City -- VOA
Heavy gunfire at military camps in Ivory Coast's second city -- AfricaNews
Heavy gunfire heard in Cote d'Ivore's second-largest city -- Xinhuanet

Ivory Coast Soldiers End Their Rebellion

Reuters: Ivory Coast soldiers agree to end mutiny, return to barracks

Renegade troops in Ivory Coast accepted a government proposal on bonuses and returned to barracks on Tuesday, ending a mutiny that had closed businesses, shut major roads and threatened years of economic progress in the world's top cocoa producer.

The dissident soldiers, mostly former rebels who helped bring President Alassane Ouattara to power, rejected an earlier offer late on Monday. But a spokesman for the mutineers said the deal was amended overnight.

"We accept the government's proposal ... We are returning to barracks now," said Sergeant Seydou Kone, speaking in the city of Bouake where the revolt began last Friday before quickly spreading. Some of the 8,400 mutineers had already received the bonuses agreed under the new deal by midday, he said.

Read more ....

More News On Ivory Coast Soldiers Ending Their Rebellion

Ivory Coast says deal reached with mutinous soldiers -- FOX News/AP
Ivory Coast mutiny: Soldiers agree deal with government -- BBC
Ivory Coast rebel troops say they accept deal to end mutiny -- DW
Ivory Coast soldiers accept deal to end mutiny -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast soldiers begin receiving bonuses: mutiny spokesman -- Reuters

Ivory Coast Soldiers Continue Their Mutiny -- News Updates May 15, 2017

NPR: After Surprise Announcement, Gunfire Erupts Once More In Ivory Coast

Major cities across Ivory Coast awoke to the clatter of gunfire Monday. In the country's commercial center and in several cocoa-producing hubs, disgruntled soldiers broke out weapons and blocked thoroughfares to protest stalled bonus payments and what they view as broken promises from President Alassane Ouattara.

It marks the fourth day of renewed tensions in a dispute that had appeared to be tentatively resolved months ago between the government and more than a third of its soldiers. Now, the country teeters anew on the brink of widespread violence.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Ivory Coast government has declared an agreement to end the mutiny .... Ivory Coast government has reached a deal to end mutiny: defense minister (Reuters). A minute later the rebel soldiers say no .... Soldiers in Ivory Coast reject government proposal to end mutiny (Reuters)

Ivory Coast Soldiers Continue Their Mutiny -- News Updates May 15, 2017

Ivory Coast soldiers block main border crossing with Burkina Faso -- Reuters
Military Unrest, Gunfire Paralyze City Areas in Ivory Coast -- AP
Gunfire hits Abidjan, Bouake and San Pedro amid mutiny -- Al Jazeera
Heavy gunfire in Ivory Coast as military tries to end mutiny -- The Guardian
Gunfire Shakes Ivorian Cities as Soldiers Demand Bonus -- VOA
Ivory Coast in Talks With Soldiers as Army Standoff Continues -- Bloomberg
Ivory Coast mutiny: What lies behind the shooting in Abidjan? -- BBC

Ivory Coast Army Mutiny Continues -- News Updates May 14, 2017

Reuters: Troops advance toward mutineers in Ivory Coast's second city

Troops were advancing toward Ivory Coast's second largest city on Sunday, part of an operation the head of the army said was launched "to re-establish order" on the third day of a mutiny by soldiers across the country over bonus payments.

At least five people were shot and wounded in the city, Bouake, earlier in the day when soldiers broke up a march against the mutiny. One of three protesters shot and wounded by the mutineers on Saturday has died of his wounds.

Popular opposition to the revolt is gathering momentum.

Read more ....

Ivory Coast Army Mutiny Continues -- News Updates May 14, 2017

Ivory Coast launches military operation to quash mutiny -- Al Jazeera
Operation under way to "re-establish order" in Ivory Coast -army chief -- Reuters
Ivory Coast Military Said to Give Ultimatum to Rebel Soldiers -- Bloomberg
Anti-army mutiny march in Ivory Coast turns deadly -- France 24
Five People Shot During Anti-Mutiny March in Ivory Coast -Witness -- Reuters
Six wounded in Ivory Coast anti-mutiny protest -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast army mutiny enters third day. -- DW

Growing Military Revolt In The African Country Of Ivory Coast

Reuters: Mutinous soldiers cut off Ivory Coast's second city

Mutinous soldiers in Ivory Coast shot three people on Saturday and cut off access to the second largest city, Bouake, as a revolt escalated over demands for bonus payments.

The revolt began in Bouake early on Friday before spreading quickly, following a similar pattern to a mutiny by the same group in January that paralyzed parts of Ivory Coast and marred its image as a post-war success story.

Mutineers seized control of the national military headquarters and defense ministry in the center of the commercial capital Abidjan on Friday.

Read more ....

More News On The Growing Military Revolt In The African Country Of Ivory Coast

Mutinous soldiers in Ivory Coast take over several cities -- Washington Post/AP
Ivory Coast Unrest Continues as Rebel Soldiers Snub Warning -- Bloomberg
Rebel troops resume revolt in Ivory Coast a day after public apology -- France 24
Soldiers cut off access to Ivory Coast's second largest city -- UPI
Ivory Coast military mutiny resumes after public apology -- DW
Shots fired at Ivory Coast army HQ after mutineers' apology -- AFP
Mutinying soldiers seal off Ivory Coast's Bouake -- Al Jazeera
Mutinous soldiers cut off Ivory Coast’s second-largest city -- Irish Times
Ivory Coast: Soldiers cut off second city Bouaké -- BBC
Mutineer soldiers seize major urban areas of Ivory Coast and fire on civilians -- International Business Times
Mutinous soldiers shoot, wound three in Ivory Coast second city -- Reuters

Ivory Coast Calm After Two-Day Mutiny By Soldiers

BBC: Ivory Coast unrest: Calm reported after two-day mutiny

A rebellion in Ivory Coast over soldiers' pay appears to have passed.

Residents and correspondents in the second city, Bouake, described calm on the streets - a day after troops briefly seized the defence minister.

The rebellion had spread from there to other cities, including the commercial hub, Abidjan, but that city, too, is now quiet.

A deal was struck between the mutinous soldiers and the government on Saturday, though details are scant.

A correspondent for AFP news agency in Bouake said on Sunday that there had been no firing there since Saturday evening.

"Traffic has resumed this morning and the shops have reopened."

Read more ....

More News On The End Of A Two-Day Mutiny In The Ivory Coast

I. Coast soldiers end mutiny after deal -- AFP
Streets of Ivory Coast cities calm after soldier mutiny -- Reuters
Ivory Coast Soldiers Lift Barricades After Two-Day Mutiny -- Bloomberg
Ivory Coast president says agreement reached with soldiers over bonuses -- CNN
Unrest eases in Ivory Coast after mutiny ends -- DW
Ivory Coast President Says Government Reaches Deal With Soldiers to End Uprising -- NYT
Mutinous Ivory Coast soldiers return to barracks after deal -- Financial Times
Ivory Coast defence minister released by mutineers -- Guardian/AP/Reuters
Ivory Coast minister freed after troops mutiny deal -- Al Jazeera

Former Soldiers Launch Mutiny In Ivory Coast

Al Jazeera: Soldiers launch mutinies in three Ivory Coast cities

West African nation's defence minister says the mutineers are demanding salary increases and payment of bonuses.

Demobilised soldiers in the Ivory Coast have launched mutinies in three cities, bringing the threat of unrest back to Africa's fastest-growing economy.

While the ex-soldiers have not yet stated their specific demands, the West African nation's defence minister, Alain-Richard Donwahi, said on Friday they were demanding salary increases and the payment of bonuses.

The unrest began in Bouake, the country's second-largest city and onetime rebel stronghold, where heavy weapons fire was heard in the streets before spreading to two other major urban centres of Daloa and Korhogo.

Gunfire also reportedly erupted at a military camp in the western town of Daloa on Friday.

Read more ....

More News On Former Soldiers Launching A Mutiny In Ivory Coast

Soldiers mutiny in 3 Ivory Coast cities over pay -- AP
Ex-soldiers seize control of Ivory Coast's second city -- Reuters
Ivory Coast's Bouake and Daloa hit by shooting -- BBC
Soldiers mutiny in Ivory Coast’s second city Bouaké -- France 24
Soldiers Mutiny in 3 Ivory Coast Cities -- VOA
Disgruntled soldiers behind armed uprising in Ivory Coast -- Reuters
Ex-soldiers seize Ivory Coast city of Bouake -- Euronews
Ivory Coast troops rise up demanding pay, houses -- The Guardian/AFP
'Mutiny' of Former Soldiers Underway in Ivory Coast -- Sputnik
Violence erupts in Ivory Coast as ex-soldiers demand pay -- DW
Ivory Coast: Ex-combatants seize weapons and takeover former rebel city -- Africa News

Al Qaeda Linked Gunmen Attack 3 Hotels In Ivory Coast

Reuters: Al Qaeda gunmen kill 16 in Ivory Coast beach attack

Gunmen from al Qaeda's North African branch killed 16 people, including four Europeans, at a beach resort town in Ivory Coast on Sunday, the latest in a string of deadly attacks that have confirmed the Islamists' growing reach in West Africa.

Six shooters targeted hotels on a beach at Grand Bassam, a weekend retreat popular with westerners about 40 km (25 miles) east of the commercial capital Abidjan, before being killed in clashes with Ivorian security forces, the government said.

"Six attackers came onto the beach in Bassam this afternoon," Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said during a visit to the site. "We have 14 civilians and two special forces soldiers who were unfortunately killed."

Read more ....

More News On Today's Al Qaeda Attack On 3 Hotels In Ivory Coast

The Latest: Al-Qaida-linked group claims Ivory Coast attack -- AP
AQIM targets beach resort in Ivory Coast -- Long War Journal
Ivory Coast: Extremists kill 14 civilians, 2 special forces -- AP
Gunmen attack 3 Ivory Coast hotels; al Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility -- CNN
Al-Qaeda claims deadly attack at Ivory Coast beach resort -- AFP
Ivory Coast Beach Attack Leaves at Least 16 Dead, Attackers 'Neutralized' -- NBC
Ivory Coast: 16 dead in Grand Bassam beach resort attack -- BBC
Al-Qaeda Claims Ivory Coast Raid Killing 16 Civilians, Soldiers -- Bloomberg
6 armed men shoot beachgoers at 3 Ivory Coast hotels -- AP
Al Qaeda takes credit for new African beach resort assault -- CBS/AP

Update: Apparently a senior U.S. government official was the target .... Ivory Coast gunmen who killed 16 had sights set on Obama official, source says (FOX News). More news here .... 'One child said a Muslim prayer and was spared, the other was killed': How five-year-old boy pleaded for his life before being shot dead by al Qaeda terrorists as they singled out victims in Ivory Coast beach attack 'targeting US diplomats' (Daily Mail).

Getting Ready For A New Civil War In The Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast Exiles Set Up Strategic Command In Ghana - U.N. Panel -- Western Australia/Reuters

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Exiles supporting Ivory Coast's former President Laurent Gbagbo have established a base in neighbouring Ghana from which they are working to destabilize the current Ivorian government, according to excerpts from a new report by a U.N. expert panel.

The supporters of Gbagbo, who is awaiting trial in The Hague for crimes against humanity, have a "military structure," have hired mercenaries in Ghana and Liberia and have established several training camps in eastern Liberia, the report said.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Ivorian Coats Exiles Loyal To Former President Gbagbo Are Preparing For A New Civil War

Ivory Coast exiles set up strategic command in Ghana -- Radio Netherlands
Push to destabilize Ivory Coast highlighted -- iol News
Ivory Coast: U.N. Report Says Ex-President’s Allies Reach Out to Islamists -- New York Times/AP
Gbagbo's Ivory Coast ally rejects Mali Islamist links -- Mmegi Online
Ivory Coast to reopen border with Ghana following 2-week closure -- Reuters
Ivory Coast reopens borders with Ghana -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast and Mali: A tale of united militia -- The Africa Report

Seven U.N. Peacekeepers Killed In Ambush In Ivory Coast

7 Peacekeepers Killed In Ivory Coast -- CNN

(CNN) -- Seven peacekeepers from Niger were killed Friday in an ambush in southwestern Ivory Coast, and more may be in danger, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

"These brave soldiers have died in the service of peace," he said. "I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms."

The blue-helmeted peacekeepers were part of the U.N. Operation in Cote d'Ivoire on patrol near the border with Liberia, where threats of attacks against civilians have prompted the operation to strengthen its presence, the United Nations said in a statement.

The incident occurred near Para Village, a spokesperson for Ban said in a statement.

Read more ....

More News On 7 U.N. Peacekeepers Killed In The Ivory Coast

U.N. says seven peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast -- Reuters
7 UN peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast ambush: UN -- AFP
UN: seven peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast ambush -- The Guardian
U.N. says 7 peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast -- USA Today/AP
U.N. reports seven peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast attack -- L.A. Times

Violence And Massacres Continue In The Ivory Coast

War Over But Massacres Continue In Ivory Coast -- New York Times/AP

ON THE BANKS OF THE CAVALLY RIVER, Ivory Coast (AP) — The inauguration of Ivory Coast's new president played out before a crowd of tens of thousands. Women wore dresses printed with his portrait. World leaders flew in for the day in a show of international support.

The massacre by the president's men started the day after, at dinnertime.

The soldiers burst into a clearing on the banks of the river here, opening fire with a machine gun mounted on a wheelbarrow. The dozens of families that had sought refuge in this distant spot dropped their plates of food and kicked over pots as they ran.

By the time the soldiers were finished, it was morning and as many as 47 people were dead. The lucky ones drowned in the river.

Read more ....

More News On The Ivory Coast

Massacres continue in Ivory Coast -- News24
Ivory Coast launches war crimes inquiry -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast inquiry investigates post-election violence -- BBC
I.Coast's Ouattara sets up inquiry into war crimes -- Reuters
Ivory Coast leader urges army to 'clean up' its ranks -- AFP
Red Cross Visits Former Ivory Coast President in Detention -- Voice of America
Red Cross makes first visit to detained Gbagbo, wife -- Reuters
Violence and vengeance in Ivory Coast -- Tendai Marima, Al Jazeera

My Comment: Like most conflicts in Africa, Ivory Coast's civil war was primarily tribal/sectarian, a tense situation that I predict will persist for a very long time.

Violence Continues In Ivory Coast

New Evidence Of Massacres In Ivory Coast -- Global Post

UN investigators are uncovering mass graves in the main city of Abidjan

A football field in the city of Abidjan was turned was used as a mass grave to bury dozens of bodies.

UN investigators were dispatched to the site during the weekend, their suspicions of yet more massacres overshadowing the swearing-in of Alassane Ouattara as president.

Ouattara’s battle for power against Laurent Gbagbo plunged the West African state into civil war after Gbagbo lost elections in November but refused to step down.

Read more ....

More News On The Violence In The Ivory Coast

More Mass Graves Found in Ivory Coast -- Voice of America
Mass graves uncovered in Ivory Coast -- UPI
Ivory Coast says 120 killed in west by pro-Gbagbo forces -- AFP
UN: 68 bodies found in soccer field in Ivory Coast -- AP
Ivory Coast: Mass graves unearthed in Yopougon -- BBC
Ivory Coast: the agonies of reconciliation -- Anne Schumann, The Guardian

Death Of An African Warlord

Coulibaly had refused to surrender when government troops seized the Abobo neighbourhood on Wednesday [AFP]

Ibrahim Coulibaly: Ivory Coast's Serial Coup-Plotter -- BBC

The death of one of Ivory Coast's most charismatic commanders and serial coup-plotters, Ibrahim Coulibaly, eliminates one of the main threats to the new government.

But the offensive against Mr Coulibaly, nicknamed "IB" and recently self-promoted to a general, has shocked many who credit him with playing a key role in bringing the new President, Alassane Ouattara, to power.

The Ivorian ministry of defence has confirmed his death, along with six fellow fighters, after an offensive against his headquarters in the PK-18 district on the northern edge of Abidjan.

Read more ....

More News On The Death Of Ivorian Warlord Ibrahim Coulibaly

Ivorian warlord's death: suicide or assassination? -- Yahoo News/AP
Ivory Coast Troops Kill Powerful Warlord -- Wall Street Journal
Ivorian warlord 'beaten, then shot' -- Press Association
Pro-Ouattara militia leader killed by president's forces -- CNN
Ivory Coast insurgent militia leader killed -- Reuters
Ivory Coast militia leader killed -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast militia leader Coulibaly killed: spokesman -- Sydney Morning Herald

What Is Next For The Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast: A Ragtag Army Falls Apart -- Foreign Policy

When Alassane Ouattara finally took over the presidency in the Ivory Coast earlier this month, he did so with the help of a rag tag group of militiamen. There were the formal rebels from the country's brief civil war, known as the Forces Nouvelles. There were local men who picked up alongside the other regular fighters. And then there were the more pernicious militias, such as the so-called "Invisible Commandos" in Abidjan, who hitched their wagon to Ouattara's because -- for at least a moment -- their objectives aligned. What all these groups had in common was their desire to at last unseat an intrasigent outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo who had refused to step down for four months after a lost election.

Read more ....

My Comment: I commented a few months ago that the Ivory Coast reminded me of Afghanistan with its different network of tribal groups, militias, and disgruntled war lords. All that I can say now is that let us hope that the new ruler (Alassane Ouattara), who has the legitimacy of a won election, does a better job than Karzai of Afghanistan.

Civil War In Ivory Coast -- News Updates March 18, 2011

U.N. Expresses Shock At Escalating Bloodshed In Ivory Coast -- CNN

(CNN) -- At least 25 people were killed in what the United Nations called Friday a shocking escalation of violence in Ivory Coast, wracked by an electoral crisis that many fear is sliding toward another civil war.

France, Ivory Coast's former colonial ruler, condemned Thursday's "deliberate massacre of civilians" and called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt sanctions against self-declared President Laurent Gbagbo and his circle, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero.

Read more ....

More News On The Ivory Coast

Witnesses: Tanks roll enter Ivory Coast district -- FOX News/AP
Ivory Coast violence escalates -- AFP
Gbagbo forces kill at least 25 in Abidjan attack-U.N. -- Reuters
UN condemns mortar attack on Ivory Coast market -- AP
Ivory Coast's Ouattara says rebels are legitimate army -- Reuters
Gbagbo calls on civilians to join I.Coast fighting -- Reuters
Gbagbo to Address Ivory Coast on AU Call to Cede Power -- Voice of America
I. Coast's Gbagbo open to talks -- AFP
Gbagbo sends mixed signal on peace effort in Ivory Coast -- Global Post
France wants new sanctions against I.Coast's Gbagbo -- Reuters
UN: Ivory Coast Needs More Humanitarian Aid -- Voice of America
Q+A-Ivory Coast's slide back into civil war -- Reuters
Côte d’Ivoire: Teetering on brink -- David Smith, Mail & Guardian
Horrors in Ivory Coast -- New York Times editorial
Fighting in Côte d'Ivoire: Shifting lines -- The Economist
Can Ivory Coast avoid return to war? -- John James, BBC

The Crisis In The Ivory Coast Is Worsening

Ivory Coast Fighting Moves In On Defeated President -- Time Magazine

Around dawn on Monday, residents in the Youpougon district of Abidjan, the main town in Ivory Coast, believed that the much-feared civil war really had started when they awoke to the boom of weapons and machine-gun fire. "The noise went on forever," says a 40-year-old resident, who asked to remain anonymous for his safety. "The whole building was shuddering."

Ivory Coast has been rocked by months of postelectoral turmoil after President Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down despite losing to Alassane Ouattara in the November vote. The southwestern suburb of Youpougon houses the residence of the country's army chief of staff — who remains loyal to Gbagbo — and on Monday, fighting was heaviest around there. About the same time, a base camp of youth groups loyal to Gbagbo also came under attack. "The death toll is literally in the dozens. I challenge anyone to come and look at the wreck of the camp this morning and tell me a single person survived the attack," says Tea Kambou, a resident on a neighboring street.

Read more ....

More News On The Violence In The Ivory Coast

Fighting in Ivorian City, Abidjan, Turns Violent Again -- Voice of America
Ivory Coast crisis: Four shot dead in Abidjan suburb -- BBC
Shooting at pro-Gbagbo Abidjan roadblock kills 4 -- Reuters
Gbagbo forces repulse rival in Abidjan battle -- Daily Nation
Ivory Coast's 'Invisible Commandos' attack renegade president's strongholds -- Christian Science Monitor
I. Coast's Gbagbo has 'last chance' to exit power: Ouattara -- AFP
Ivory Coast's Ouattara makes final offer to Gbagbo -- Mercury News/AP
President Ouattara Offers Olive Branch, As Violence Spreads In Ivory Coast -- NPR
Ivory Coast abuses may amount to war crimes: HRW -- Reuters
Ivory Coast: Aid Agencies Struggle to Help Displaced -- Voice of America
Crisis deepens in Ivory Coast causing dire conditions and mass displacement -- Relief Web
Refugee upsurge brings Ivorian woes to Liberia -- Reuters

Civil War In Ivory Coast -- News Updates March 11, 2011

Ivory Coast 'On The Brink Of A Bloodbath' -- The Guardian

Abobo, usually one of the most populated suburbs of Abidjan, has become a place of terror, bloodshed and desperation.

The men wear roughly improvised balaclavas, some plain black, others patterned with skulls and crossbones. One is clad in a heavy-duty jacket that bears the circular logo of CND. They have fashioned a checkpoint out of battered car doors lined up across the road.

This is the gateway to the "autonomous republic of Abobo", usually one of the most populated suburbs of Ivory Coast's commercial capital, Abidjan. It has in effect declared independence from the disputed presidency of Laurent Gbagbo. Now a lawless place of terror, bloodshed and desperation, it typifies the slow-motion implosion of a country into a failed state.

Read more ....

More News On The Ivory Coast

Fears of Ivorian conflict grow as mediation fails -- Reuters
Looming civil war in Ivory Coast -- CNN
Ivory Coast crisis: 'Nearly 450,000 refugees' -- BBC
African Union backs Ouattara as president in Ivory Coast -- Christian Science Monitor
Aide Says Gbagbo Rejects AU Endorsement of Ouattara as Ivory Coast Leader -- Voice of America
Ouattara scores AU victory but faces death threats -- Washington Post
AU proposal finds favour with Ivory Coast new forces -- BBC
I. Coast's Ouattara seeks diplomatic backing in Nigeria -- AFP
Ivory Coast women defiant after being targeted by Gbagbo's guns -- The Guardian
Ivory Coast Newspapers Halted After Raid on Press Distributor -- Bloomberg
Ivorian cocoa prices fall, planters abandon farms -- Reuters
Ivory Coast's descent into 'madness' -- BBC
Ivory Coast -- Descent Into Brutality and Civil War -- Evelyn Leopold, Huffington Post

Diplomacy Is Going Nowehre As The Ivory Coast Crisis Escalates

Ivory Coast's Gbagbo Rejects AU Mediation Proposal -- Voice of America

Representatives of Ivory Coast's incumbent leader, Laurent Gbagbo, have rejected an African Union proposal to resolve his country's leadership dispute. A second day of negotiations is underway in Addis Ababa as a panel of five African presidents tries to mediate the dispute. The panel appears divided over how to settle a feud that threatens to push the world’s top cocoa exporter back toward civil war.

Members of the AU high-level panel on Ivory Coast brushed aside reporters’ questions as they arrived for day two of difficult talks. When cornered, the usually vocal AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping pleaded that only the presidents on the panel could speak.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Ivory Coast

Gbagbo rejects fresh calls to quit -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast's Gbagbo rejects diplomats' efforts to end power struggle -- The Guardian
Power sharing in Ivory Coast 'unacceptable': Gbagbo aide -- AFP
AU meeting considers a national unity government for Ivory Coast -- BBC (Audio)
Gbagbo Bans UN, French Flights Over Ivory Coast -- RTT News
Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo bans UN and French flights -- BBC
Lack of Funds to Bring Down Ivory Coast's Gbagbo-France -- New York Times/Reuters
Ivory Coast Exporters Threatened -- Wall Street Journal
450,000 flee Ivory Coast conflict, aid agencies say -- Reuters
U.S. 'appalled' by Ivorian violence -- UPI

Civil War In Ivory Coast -- News Updates March 8, 2011

Ivory Coast Conflict Worsens as Gbagbo Seizes Nation's Cocoa, Coffee Sales -- Bloomberg

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo took control of local purchases and exports of cocoa and coffee, escalating a conflict with rival Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of a November election.

Cocoa supplies from Ivory Coast, the world’s biggest exporter, have been disrupted since late January after Ouattara banned shipments for a month in an attempt to deny funds to Gbagbo, who refuses to cede power. On Feb. 22, Ouattara extended his order until mid-March. Cocoa prices rose in London today.

Read more ....

More News On The Crisis In Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast's Gbagbo snubs African Union mediation talks -- Montreal Gazette/AFP
Gbagbo to skip African Union mediation -- Capital News
Fighting Reported Near Liberian Border as AU Seeks Joint Meeting -- Voice of America
Rebels seize third Ivory Coast town -- National Post
3 Killed in Attack in Ivory Coast -- New York Times/Reuters
Fighting erupts in Ivory Coast -- Press Association
Hundreds protest women's deaths in Ivory Coast -- Yahoo News/AP
Women march to mark street massacre -- Press Association
Oxfam Warns of 'Forgotten Emergency' in West Africa -- Voice of America
75, 000 refugees have fled Ivory Coast -- Times Live
Fears of humanitarian crisis in Ivory Coast -- ABC News (Australia)
Ivory Coast move sparks cocoa fears -- Financial Times
Industry alarmed by Gbagbo grab at Ivorian cocoa -- Reuters
Industry sceptical on Gbagbo grab at Ivorian cocoa -- Reuters
Correspondent's diary: Arriving in Abidjan -- The Economist
Ivory Coast heads into the abyss -- BBC

Civil War In Ivory Coast -- News Updates March 7, 2011

Ivorian Rebels Capture Major Town -- Al Jazeera

New Forces fighters allied with UN-recognised leader say Toulepleu fell after a fierce battle with government troops.

Cote d'Ivoire's rebels say they have captured a town after a fierce battle in the country's volatile west near the border with Liberia, triggering panic among tens of thousands of refugees already fleeing violence over a deepening political crisis.

The New Forces rebels said in a statement on their website that they seized Toulepleu on Sunday.

The statement said: "The large town of Toulepleu in the west of Ivory Coast is now in the hands of the army of the New Forces (rebels) since Sunday at noon following an intense combat."

Read more ....

More News On The Civil War In The Ivory Coast

Ivorian rebels take third town in west -- Reuters
Ivory Coast: rebels claim another town -- Euronews
Ivory Coast Rebels Claim to Expand Their Advance -- New York Times
Ivory Coast Rebels Claim Capture of Third Town in West From Gbagbo Forces -- Bloomberg
Rebel violence, looting continue to spread in Ivory Coast -- Boston.com
Fighting near the Ivorian border with Liberia -- BBC
Ivory Coast crisis worsens as police loot homes of new cabinet -- The Guardian
Ivorian politicians' houses looted -- Al Jazeera
Ivory Coast rebels seize control of 30-mile strip -- Maximum Edge News
Thousands flee Ivory Coast -- BBC
U.N. to deploy 2,000 more troops to Ivory Coast -- CNN
Cote d'Ivoire to get more UN troops -- Al Jazeera
UN force in Ivory Coast to be reinforced: official -- Reuters
Germany concerned over escalation of Ivory Coast violence -- M&C
NGO Official: Liberian Peace Threatened by Ivorian Conflict -- Voice of America
Ivory Coast 'forgotten emergency' -- Press Association